Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Figure 2. Composite Varanus panoptes nesting burrow based on actual burrow dimensions. The burrow is plugged with soil, except for the top-most 0.5 m and the nest chamber.

Scale bar = 3 m.

Abstract

Dating back to 255 Mya, a diversity of vertebrate species have excavated mysterious, deep helical burrows called Daimonelix (devil's corkscrews). The possible functions of such structures are manifold, but their paucity in extant animals has frustrated their adaptive explanation. We recently discovered the first helical reptile burrows, created by the monitor lizard Varanus panoptes. The plugged burrows terminated in nest chambers that were the deepest known of any vertebrate, and by far the deepest of any reptile (mean = 2.3 m, range = 1.0–3.6 m, N = 52). A significant positive relationship between soil moisture and nest depth persisted at depths > 1 m, suggesting that deep nesting in V. panoptes may be an evolutionary response to egg desiccation during the long (approximately 8 months) dry season incubation period. Alternatively, lizards may avoid shallower nesting because even slight daily temperature fluctuations are detrimental to developing embryos; our data show that this species may have the most stable incubation environment of any reptile and possibly any ectotherm. Soil-filled burrows do not support the hypothesis generated for Daimonelix that the helix would provide more consistent temperature and humidity as a result of limited air circulation in dry palaeoclimates. We suggest that Daimonelix were used mainly for nesting or rearing young, because helical burrows of extant vertebrates are generally associated with a nest. The extraordinary nesting in this lizard reflects a system in which adaptive hypotheses for the function of fossil helical burrows can be readily tested.

• Five different ootaxa, assignable to theropods and ornithopods were identified.

• Nipponoolithus ramosus oogen. et oosp. nov. was erected as a new ootaxon.

• This study reveals a hidden diversity of small theropods in Lower Cretaceous Japan.

Abstract

The Lower Cretaceous (Albian) Sasayama Group in the Hyogo Prefecture of southwestern Japan has yielded various vertebrate fossils, including skeletal remains of dinosaurs, anurans, lizards, and mammals, and recently eggshell fragments. Here we report on numerous fossil eggshells from the bone-bearing Kamitaki locality in Tamba City, which represents a diverse dinosaur eggshell assemblage. Of the more than 90 eggshell fragments recovered, five different types were identified, including eggshells that likely belong to a variety of theropods (Nipponoolithus ramosus oogen. et oosp. nov., Elongatoolithus sp., Prismatoolithus sp., and Prismatoolithidae indet.) and at least one ornithopod (Spheroolithus sp.). All eggshells are relatively thin, and a new derived estimation method correlating egg mass with eggshell thickness indicates that they are among the smallest (28–135 g) theropod eggs known, likely laid by small bodied forms. The eggshell assemblage from this locality suggests that a diverse small dinosaur fauna, consisting primarily of theropods, nested in the region, a diversity yet to be evidenced from skeletal remains in Japan.

Type locality and horizon. The holotype and all referred specimens come from the lower part of the 'Lower Formation' of the Sasayama Group in Kamitaki, southeastern Tamba City, Hyogo, Japan.

Diagnosis.Nipponoolithus ramosus differs from all other ootaxa in the following unique combination of traits: low-relief, branching ridges on the outer surface; eggshell thickness ranges from 0.37 to 0.53 mm (average 0.44 mm); eggshell consists of a mammillary layer and a continuous layer delimited by an abrupt boundary; mammillae composed of acicular or wedge-like crystals; mammillae wider than high; mammillary layer to continuous layer thickness ratio of 1:2 to 1:4.

To date, three species of the genus Glischropus are recognized from the Indomalayan zoogeographic region—G. bucephalus from the Indochinese subregion, G. tylopus from the Sundaic subregion (Peninsular Thailand and Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra, Moluccas) and G. javanus, restricted to Java. The investigation of the holotype and three topotype specimens of G. batjanus supported the view that the name was previously correctly regarded as the junior subjective synonym of G. tylopus. During review of material recently collected in southwestern Sumatra, Indonesia, one specimen of a yet undescribed species of Thick-thumbed bat was identified. Glischropus aquilus n. sp. markedly differs from its congeners by its dark brown pelage, nearly black ear and tragus, and in skull proportions. The phylogenetic analysis based on cytb sequences also supports the specific distinctness of G. aquilus n. sp. Its discovery brings the count to 88 species of bats known from Sumatra.

Keywords: Bukit Barisan Selatan, Indonesia, Pipistrellini, taxonomy

Etymology. The specific epithet /a.kvi.lus/ (meaning dark-coloured in English) refers to the blackish ears and generally darker pelage of the new species relative to its congeners.
The proposed English name is Dark Thick-thumbed Bat.

Collinsium ciliosum, a Collins' monster-type lobopodian from the early Cambrian Xiaoshiba biota of China.

— Jie Yang/Javier Ortega-Hernández

Significance

Paleozoic lobopodians constitute a diverse assemblage of worm-like organisms that are known from various exceptional fossil deposits and were among the earliest animals to develop skeletonized body parts for protection. Here, we describe Collinsium ciliosum gen. et sp. nov., an armored lobopodian from the early Cambrian Xiaoshiba Lagerstätte (South China). Collinsium belongs to an extinct clade of superarmored lobopodians characterized by supernumerary dorsal spines, and specialized limbs for filter feeding; collectively, these fossil taxa represent a well-defined group within the lineage leading to extant velvet worms (Onychophora). Despite their greater morphological variety and appendage complexity compared with other lobopodians and extant velvet worms, Collinsium and its close relatives embodied a unique, yet ultimately failed, autoecology during the Cambrian explosion.

Abstract

We describe Collinsium ciliosum from the early Cambrian Xiaoshiba Lagerstätte in South China, an armored lobopodian with a remarkable degree of limb differentiation including a pair of antenna-like appendages, six pairs of elongate setiferous limbs for suspension feeding, and nine pairs of clawed annulated legs with an anchoring function. Collinsium belongs to a highly derived clade of lobopodians within stem group Onychophora, distinguished by a substantial dorsal armature of supernumerary and biomineralized spines (Family Luolishaniidae). As demonstrated here, luolishaniids display the highest degree of limb specialization among Paleozoic lobopodians, constitute more than one-third of the overall morphological disparity of stem group Onychophora, and are substantially more disparate than crown group representatives. Despite having higher disparity and appendage complexity than other lobopodians and extant velvet worms, the specialized mode of life embodied by luolishaniids became extinct during the Early Paleozoic. Collinsium and other superarmored lobopodians exploited a unique paleoecological niche during the Cambrian explosion.

A graphical depiction of the morphology of ancient onychophorans. X denotes unavailable or incomplete limb data for the taxon; dashed line indicates morphospace distribution for all members of stem group Onychophora.

A new species of Hoya R.Br. from Tam Đảo National Park (Vĩnh Phúc Province, Vietnam), Hoya tamdaoensis Rodda & T.B.Tran,is described and illustrated. It is distinguished from the morphologically similar Hoya siamica Craib by corolla size, lamina shape, coloration, and orientation of the petioles.

Etymology:— The new species is named after the collection locality, Tam Đảo National Park, Vietnam.

Distribution and ecology:— Only known from the type locality in Tam Đảo National Park, Vietnam. Hoya
tamdaoensis was found growing epilithically on limestone covered by moss in evergreen lower montane forest.

Conservation status:— Known from only one locality; the preliminary conservation status of Hoya tamdaoensis
is Data Deficient (DD; IUCN 2014).

The paper provides a key for identification and a checklist of mycoheterotrophic species of the genus Exacum, representing a well-defined group of achlorophyllous members of Gentianaceae regarded sometimes in the limits of a separate genus Cotylanthera. One novel species, Exacum zygomorpha, discovered in northern Vietnam, is described and illustrated as new for science. Among other features the discovered species strikingly differs from its congeners in having distinctly zygomorphic flowers.

Thismia nigricans Chantanaorr. & Sridith is described and illustrated as a new species from Sri Phangnga National Park, southern Thailand. A taxonomic description, illustrations of the new species and a comparison with the related species T. angustimitra Chantanaorr. and T. mirabilis K. Larsen are presented.

Thismia nigricans is similar toT. angustimitraChantanaorr., but differs in having glabrous filaments, the apex of annulus divided into 3 lobes without golden-brown hairs, and the mitre bearing more irregularly dentate ribs.

Two new species of large geckos in the genus Goniurosaurus are described based on specimens collected from karst areas of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, southern China: Goniurosaurus kadoorieorum sp. nov. and Goniurosaurus kwangsiensis sp. nov. Data on natural history of the new species are provided, as well as discussions on the current conservation status of Goniurosaurus species in southern China. Due to the popularity of this genus as novelty pets, and recurring cases of scientific descriptions driving herpetofauna to near-extinction by commercial collectors, we do not disclose the collecting localities of these restricted-range species in this publication. However, such information has been presented to relevant government agencies, and is available upon request by fellow scientists.

Paratypes. Four paratypes: one adult male KFBG 14031; one adult female KFBG 14033; one sub-adult male
KFBG 14034; one juvenile male KFBG 14035; data identical to the holotype. Coordinates and other standard
collecting information were recorded for each type and kept in the KFBG herpetological collection catalog.

Etymology. The new species, “kadoorieorum”, is named in honour of the Kadoorie brothers, Sir Horace and
Lord Lawrence, from Hong Kong, for their life-long support to biodiversity research and conservation in the
region. As a common name we suggest “Kadoories’ Cave Gecko”.

Natural history and distribution.Goniurosaurus kadoorieorum sp. nov. is currently only known from its
type locality in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China. The new species appears to be a nocturnal
karst specialist; all individuals were found amongst limestone rocks in karst forest at night.

Paratypes. Three paratypes: two adult females KFBG 14050–51; one adult male KFBG 14053; data identical
to the holotype. Coordinates and other standard collecting information were recorded for each type and kept in the
KFBG herpetological collection catalog.

Etymology. The specific epithet “kwangsiensis” is named after its type locality, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China (Kwangsi is the former official name of Guangxi). For the common name, we suggest “Guangxi Cave Gecko”.

Natural history and distribution. Specimens of the new species were found in karst forest at night. A total of nine individuals were found including four adult females, four adult males and one sub-adult; four were collected and assigned as the type series. A gravid adult female containing three well-developed eggs was among the nine seen but not collected. Three eggshells, most likely of G.kwangsiensis sp. nov., were also found in a rock crevice. Sympatric herpetofauna recorded in the locality during the survey included Asian Common Toad Duttaphrynus melanostictus (Schneider), King Cobra Ophiophagus Hannah (Cantor), and White-spotted Slug Snake Pareas

margaricophorus (Jan).

FIGURE 5. The six known species of the Goniurosaurus luii species group from China. A: a female individual of G. kwangsiensis sp. nov. from Guangxi; B: paratype KFBG 140334 of G. kadoorieorum sp. nov. from Guangxi; C: adult female of G. araneus from Guangxi; D: subadult male of G. bawanglingensis from Hainan; E: adult female of G. luii from Guangxi; F: holotype SYS r000218 of G. liboensis from Guizhou.

A new natricid snake of the genus Opisthotropis Günther, 1872, Opisthotropis laui sp. nov., is described from Mt. Gudou, Jiangmen City, Guangdong Province, China. The new species can be distinguished from other congeners by the combina-tion of the following characters: dorsal scales weakly keeled throughout, in 25:23:23 rows; 10 supralabials; 11 infralabials; two internasals, longer than wide, not touching the loreal; one loreal, not touching the eye; one preocular; two postoculars; one anterior temporal scale; 152 ventrals; 53 subcaudals; body and tail dark olive above, with light yellow crossbars.

Thursday, June 25, 2015

The origin and early evolution of turtles have long been major contentious issues in vertebrate zoology. This is due to conflicting character evidence from molecules and morphology and a lack of transitional fossils from the critical time interval. The ~220-million-year-old stem-turtle Odontochelys from China has a partly formed shell and many turtle-like features in its postcranial skeleton. Unlike the 214-million-year-old Proganochelys from Germany and Thailand, it retains marginal teeth and lacks a carapace. Odontochelys is separated by a large temporal gap from the ~260-million-year-old Eunotosaurus from South Africa, which has been hypothesized as the earliest stem-turtle. Here we report a new reptile, Pappochelys, that is structurally and chronologically intermediate between Eunotosaurus and Odontochelys and dates from the Middle Triassic period (~240 million years ago). The three taxa share anteroposteriorly broad trunk ribs that are T-shaped in cross-section and bear sculpturing, elongate dorsal vertebrae, and modified limb girdles. Pappochelys closely resembles Odontochelys in various features of the limb girdles. Unlike Odontochelys, it has a cuirass of robust paired gastralia in place of a plastron. Pappochelys provides new evidence that the plastron partly formed through serial fusion of gastralia. Its skull has small upper and ventrally open lower temporal fenestrae, supporting the hypothesis of diapsid affinities of turtles.

Figure 5: Early evolution of the turtle body plan.a, Restoration of the skeleton of Pappochelys in lateral view (as yet unknown elements in white; preserved bones in grey; trunk ribs and gastralia highlighted in black); b, successive appearance of key features of the turtle body plan; c, plastron of Odontochelys and reconstructed ventral bones of the shoulder girdle and gastralia set in Pappochelys (elements of the shoulder girdle and their homologues are indicated in a darker shade of grey).

The fossil of Pappochelys, grew to around eight inches and lived along the shores of a lake in the Middle Jurassic period 240 million years ago. Palaeontologists say it was an early ancestor of modern turtles and the shape of its skull suggests these reptiles are more closely related to dinosaurs and birds than snakes

Impatiens suksathanii Ruchis. & Triboun, a new species from a limestone area in Kanchanaburi Province in Southwestern Thailand, is described and illustrated. This endemic new species is clearly distinguished from the most similar I. namkatensis T.Shimizu by having sessile to very short petioles, linear, narrowly lanceolate to narrowly oblanceolate laminas, and pale pink flowers. Its conservation status is also assessed as Critically Endangered.

Impatiens suksathanii Ruchis. & Triboun is clearly distinguished from the most similar I. namkatensis T.Shimizu by having sessile to very short petioles, linear, narrowly lanceolate to narrowly oblanceolate laminas,and pale pink flowers.

Proposed IUCN conservation assessment:— Critically Endangered (CR B2 ab(iii,v)) following the criteria of IUCN (2012). This species is only known from two small populations from two localities, neither of which currently has any formal protected status. One locality is in the grounds of a temple in Thong Phaphum district that receives a lot of visitors and the other one is in the grounds of a university. Moreover, the entire population is estimated to contain fewer than 100 individuals.

Etymology:— The plant is named in a honour of Dr. Piyakaset Suksathan, an outstanding plant taxonomist from Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden in Thailand who has been working on the family Balsaminaceae for the Flora of Thailand for a decade. He also encouraged the first author to start his phylogenetic study on the genus Impatiens for his Master’s degree.

The Gulf Coast Toad (Incilius nebulifer) is an abundant and widespread species within its range in the United States and Mexico, so it appears on many faunal checklists and is considered in diverse kinds of research. We review the basic biology, distribution, and published history of this species, identifying only those records and publications referable to I. nebulifer, to help researchers identify published works pertaining to I. nebulfer rather than I. valliceps, with which it formerly was considered to be conspecific.

A new species of Caulokaempferia K. Larsen (Zingiberaceae), Caulokaempferia pubescens Picheans. & Phokham, from Changwat Mae Hong Son in Northern Thailand is reported. Full descriptions, together with ink line–drawing with water color and photographic illustrations are given. Relationship of this new species with their phylogenetically closest related taxa, C. larsenii

The taxonomy of genus Phyllodium in Thailand was studied. The results showed that six species are
enumerated. Morphological descriptions and photographs, key to species, distribution and some ecological data
are given. Moreover, both pollen morphological and leaf epidermal characters of three and five species
respectively are presented.

The gymnophthalmid lizard Riolama inopinata sp. nov. is described from the summit of Murisipán-tepui, Bolívar State, Venezuela. The new species is characterized by its small size, slender body, short neck, chestnut brown dorsum with two conspicuous orange-brown dorsolateral stripes, 30 or 31 mid-dorsal scales, and 18 or 19 ventral scales in transverse rows, 28 scales around midbody, seven supralabials, five or six infralabials, subdigital lamellae divided in small granular scales, ten or 11 small femoral pores in males, dorsal surface of tongue covered with oblique chevron-shaped plicae interrupted by a small midsection of imbricate scale-like papillae, and a small weakly bilobed hemipenis having the sulcus spermaticus flanked by an extensive nude area on each side, and the asulcate and lateral faces of the organ with short series of small roughly equidistant, feebly developed flounces, each bearing a single medial hook-shaped spine. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on one nuclear and two mitochondrial DNA genes confirm the allocation of the new species to the genus Riolama, but do not support the assignation of Riolama to the subfamily Cercosaurinae as previously suggested based on overall morphological similarities, nor to any other known subfamily of the Gymnophthalmidae. Therefore, a new subfamily, the Riolaminae, is proposed to accommodate the genus.

Figure 1. A, map of the Pantepui region, showing the distribution of Riolama species. The white rectangle corresponds to the area enlarged in (B). B, distribution of known Riolama species occurring east to the Rio Caroní (blue lines) in Venezuela and western Guyana. The white rectangle corresponds to the area enlarged in Figure 2A.

Lake on the summit of Murisipán-tepui, showing the macrohabitat of Riolama inopinata sp. nov. (18 June 2012)

Figure 3. Riolama inopinata sp. nov. A, IRSNB 2679, male holotype in life. B, IRSNB 2680, male paratype in life. C, ventral view of the anaesthetized holotype (grid squares = 5 mm). D, lake on the summit of Murisipán-tepui, showing the macrohabitat of the new species (18 June 2012). Photographs by the author.

Etymology: The specific name, meaning ‘unexpected’ in Latin, is considered a noun in apposition and refers to the unforeseen discovery of a Riolama species on a tepui from the Los Testigos Massif.

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Riolaminae subf. nov.

Content: Riolama Uzzell, 1973.

Diagnosis

(1) Head scales without striations or rugosities; (2) single frontonasal and frontal; (3) dorsal scales hexagonal, uniformly keeled; (4) tympanum heavily pigmented and feebly recessed; (5) digits depressed with swollen tips; (6) absence of claw on the first finger; (7) oblique plicae rather than papillae on the anterior and posterior surfaces of tongue; (8) hemipenis weakly bilobed, sulcus spermaticus flanked by an extensive nude area on each side, asulcate and lateral faces of organ with short series of small roughly equidistant feebly developed flounces, each bearing a single medial hook-shaped spine.

Philippe J. R. Kok. 2015. A New Species of the Pantepui endemic Genus Riolama (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) from the summit of Murisipán-tepui, with the Erection of A New Gymnophthalmid Subfamily. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 174(3); 500–518. DOI: 10.1111/zoj.12241